DA wants Zuma's medical parole decision reviewed

DA wants Zuma's medical parole decision reviewed

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is heading to court in a bid to review the medical parole granted to former president Jacob Zuma.

Jacob Zuma
AFP

The Department of Correctional Services granted medical parole to Zuma on Sunday.


Zuma is serving a 15-month jail term for contempt of court.


Officials relied on a report from military doctors who are treating Zuma.


The DA alleges that the decision is "patently unlawful".


Party leader John Steenhuisen said they will forward an application to court seeking the record of the decision that led to the parole.


"If it turns out that the National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Arthur Fraser, used his discretion to override the decision of a review panel, there is a specific process he would have had to follow.


"This process includes obtaining a full medical report by independent doctors over and above Jacob Zuma's own doctors. 


"Such a report would need to be presented to the parole board and the relevant doctors, and only then can the Commissioner use his discretion to override the decision.


Our review will seek to determine whether these steps took place and in the correct order," said Steenhuisen.

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